Collection Overview

Arrangement: The collection consists of five series: Series 1) subject files; Series 2) insurance; Series 3) Dade County Consumer Advocate, 1975-1986; Series 4) printed materials, Florida; Series 5) audiovisual materials. Series 1 and 2 are in alphabetical order by topic. Series 3 and 4 are in original order. Series 5 is arranged by audiovisual format.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection is comprised of files from Mr. Dartland's career in various capacities as a consumer advocate. The bulk of the materials cover the mid-1970s to mid-1990s. The vast majority pertain to Florida though there are examples of consumer advocacy from other states. Folder titles indicate the subjects included in the collection. Folders contain a wide variety of publications: business correspondence, brochures, pamphlets, speeches, flyers, newspaper clippings, reprints of trade articles, magazine clippings, ordinances, news releases, trade publications, agendas, reports, surveys, public hearing notices, legal documents, legislative documents, advertisements, business cards, conference proceedings, conference programs, printed email messages, registration forms and several other forms of ephemera and publications. Most items pertain to activities and issues that Mr. Dartland was directly involved in though some items seem to be just areas of interest. In addition to the publications, there are 34 VHS tapes, 3 DVDs, 1 flash drive, and 134 cassette tapes.

Biographical Note

Walter T. Dartland was born January 17, 1935. He is widely known for his expertise on consumer protection, investment and insurance fraud, and public interest issues. He earned a national reputation for diligence and effectiveness in exposing frauds and deceptive practices perpetrated against citizens and businesses alike. He gained national recognition as a consumer advocate from 1975 until 1986 while he was serving as the Miami-Dade County Consumer Advocate. Through his association with consumer groups, senior citizen organizations, and Florida business leaders, he exposed schemes directed at Florida’s elderly and low-income populations. In 1987, he was named Deputy Attorney General under Attorney General Bob Butterworth. For two years Dartland oversaw litigation in environmental protection, land use, consumer protection, antitrust enforcement, and execution of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). At the request of the Attorney General, Dartland rejoined the office to serve as Special Counsel on critical issues from 1996 to 2000. While serving as Special Counsel, he earned the admiration of industry leaders for his unique ability to work with businesses to effectuate solutions to complex business transactions. Dartland has been involved with numerous professional, civic and charitable boards. Notable positions include past vice-president of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, past Chairman of the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Committee, past president of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida, past president of the Florida Association of Accountants in the Public Interest, board member of the Consumer Federation of America, founding member and co-chair of the National Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, member of the National Board of Common Cause, and chair of Florida Common Cause. Dartland’s education began at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutes, where he earned a B.S. Degree in Engineering. He went on to earn a law degree from the University of Michigan. At some point in his career, he returned to Michigan when elected District Attorney.

Administrative Information

Repository:
Morse Department of Special Collections

Accruals:
No additional accruals are expected.

Access Restrictions:
No access restrictions: All materials are open for research.

Use Restrictions:
The researcher assumes full reponsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.